SPORTS HEADLINES

PERSONAL BEST – Decatur’s Mark Thomas recorded a personal best on deadlift at the regional meet to advance to state. Thomas lifted 585 pounds – the most in his weight division. Photo courtesy of Scott Warner

Wise County will be sending several lifters to the Texas High School Powerlifting Association championships March 24 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Lifters earned spots at regional meets last weekend.

In Region 6 Division 2, Decatur’s Mark Thomas finished second in the 198-pound weight division, lifting a total of 1,335 pounds. Thomas was in eighth entering the deadlift and hoisted a personal best 585 pounds to advance to the state meet.

“It was a do-or-die, pull it and go to state or don’t and get whatever place he was going to get,” said Decatur coach Scott Warner. “It was pretty amazing. He was pumped and had a big smile on his face all the way home. It was one of my proudest moments as a coach.”

SILVER FINISH – Boyd’s Cruz Montes finished second in the 220-pound weight class and qualified for the state meet in Abilene. Photo courtesy of Jason Sanders

In Region 6 Division 3, Boyd’s Cruz Montes qualified in the 220-pound weight division. Montes finished 5 pounds shy of first place, lifting 1,440 pounds. He squatted and lifted the most in his weight class.

Boyd also had two lifters finish as alternates for the state meet. Dillon Inman took fourth in the 165-pound division, and Bartolo Guevara was fourth in the 275-pound weight class.

“It’s not that unexpected because [Montes] is big-time into it,” said Boyd coach Jason Sanders. “He works really hard and does a lot of stuff on his own. I’m very happy for him. The price he paid and the work he put in paid off. It was a big goal of his to get there.”

Cason Rangel finished in a three-way tie in the 275-pound weight division, lifting 1,420 pounds. Rangel narrowly missed out on state, losing a three-way tiebreaker. Alvord athletic director Pete Hart said the tiebreaker went to the lighter lifters, so Rangel was eliminated by virtue of being the heaviest.

Chico’s Nico Starnes won the 148-pound weight class and also advanced to state. He lifted 1,135 pounds total.